Mediation Settlement Day

Mediation Settlement Day

Mediation Settlement Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness about the many benefits of mediation and the wealth of available resources for people in conflict. Organizations throughout the United States and beyond coordinate efforts to celebrate and promote mediation on the same day each year. On this day and throughout the month of October, organizations conduct special programs to promote mediation and to educate potential parties and attorneys about the mediation process. The aim is to encourage parties to try mediation for the first time and to reinforce its value and effectiveness to those who have benefitted from it before.

What is Mediation?
Mediation is an efficient, user-friendly means for resolving conflicts and disputes. Instead of asking a judge to make a decision in court, parties in conflict meet with a trained mediator who helps them communicate with one another and if possible, reach an agreement that satisfies everyone. If the people in the dispute are not able to reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone involved, they are still free to ask a judge to hear their case and make a decision in court.

Annual Kick-Off Event
A lively Kick-Off Event is held in advance of Mediation Settlement Day to bring the community together to celebrate mediation. The Kick-Off Event begins with an opportunity to network and learn about mediation training and services. The MSD Honorary Chairperson delivers the key note address, and a Front-Line Champion Award is presented to an individual who has made meaningful contributions to the field of mediation.

Honorary Chair
This year's Honorary Chair wasHonorable Sol Wachtler, Distinguished Professor at Touro Law School in Central Islip, New York. He is also the Chair of the Law and Psychiatry Institute of North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital. Wachtler, an advocate on behalf of the mentally ill, contributed to the book Serving Mentally Ill Defendants. In recognition of his consideration for the mentally ill, Judge Sol Wachtler has earned awards from the Mental Health Association in New York State. Additionally, the National Alliance of Mental Illness in New York State bestowed the judge with the Justice Award for his many decisions protecting and advancing the rights of individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

Who should attend Mediation Settlement Day and Kick-Off event activities?
Anyone interested in becoming a mediator or learning more about mediation as an alternative means for resolving disputes. These free events provide excellent networking and learning opportunities for individuals, attorneys, mediators, as well as corporate and law firm representatives. No advance registration is required.

Who Sponsors Mediation Settlement Day?
Mediation Settlement Day is sponsored by: FINRA Dispute Resolution and the NYC Bar Association, ADR Committee in conjunction with the New York State Unified Court System and over one hundred national and regional alternative dispute resolution programs, bar associations, community-based programs, public service and non-profit organizations, and schools. Professional mediators and for-profit organizations can participate by hosting or attending events surrounding Mediation Settlement Day. View the list of sponsoring organizations.

Why Become a Sponsor?
Sponsorship of Mediation Settlement Day is free and reflects your organization’s support and acknowledgment of mediation as a useful means of resolving disputes. Sponsorship benefits include recognition of your organization on the Mediation Settlement Day information website and an opportunity to network at the MSD Kick Off Event.

How Can Sponsors Promote Mediation on Mediation Settlement Day?
Sponsors can commemorate Mediation Settlement Day by:

Sending announcements of the events to clients, parties, judges, arbitrators;

Providing a place in their own facilities, with an expert to explain, promote, and field questions about mediation;

Providing extra neutrals to mediate cases;

Arranging for mediators to serve at reduced rates on Mediation Settlement Day or holding special training sessions;

Obtaining a local or state government proclamation for Mediation Settlement Day.

What is the Frontline Champion Award?
The Frontline Champion Award recognizes individuals who have made a meaningful impact on the field of mediation or helped others through their commitment to the effective practice of mediation.
This year's award recipient was Kenneth Andrichik who is the Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel, and Director of Mediation Strategy, FINRA Dispute Resolution. Please join us in celebrating Kenneth's contributions to the ADR field.

Past winners include Professor Carol Liebman, Columbia Law School (2006), former Chief Judge Tina Brozman, Southern District Bankruptcy Court (2007), Roger Brach, Safe Horizon Brooklyn/Manhattan, Bill Powell – Center for Dispute Settlement Inc. and Bill Carroll – Mediation Center of Dutchess County (2008 tri-champions recognized for 25 years of volunteer service as mediators in the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program), Professor Lela Love, Director, Cardozo Law School’s Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution (2009), Margaret Shaw Esq. (2010), JAMS mediator, Maria Volpe Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Director of the Dispute Resolution Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice-City of University of New York (2011), Distinguished Mediator and Arbitrator, Roger M. Deitz (2012), and Commisioner Timothy Germany, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

The Unified Court System, in collaboration with FINRA Dispute Resolution, hosted its annual Mediation Settlement Day Kickoff event on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the New York Law School. The program began with an open house of networking and learning opportunities on how to become a mediator, followed by a panel discussion and the keynote address.

At the Mediation Settlement Day Kick-Off Event, a panel discussion on a new mandatory mediation pilot program was moderated by Hon. Sherry Klein Heitler, Administrative Judge for Civil Matters. Also in the photo Dan Weitz, Statewide ADR Coordinator for the NYS Unified Court System and panel participants Simeon H. Baum, President Resolve Mediation Services, (L) and Michael W. Leahy, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Head of Litigation, AIG, Inc. (R)